After one last rodeo that ended in Super Bowl glory, Eagles defensive end, Brandon Graham, held a press conference in Philadelphia earlier today to announce his retirement from the NFL. All things must come to an end, but this will be a story every Eagles fan will hold dear to their hearts forever.
Brandon Graham announces NFL retirement
Graham was drafted by the Eagles back in 2010, and after a bumpy start to his career, would later blossom into one of the greatest decisions the franchise has ever made, and a player who is now beloved by not just the City, but the entire nation.
BG hangs up his boots after a remarkable 15-year career that saw him win two Lombardi trophies along with a Pro Bowl nomination in 2020. He ends his storied legacy with 487 total tackles, 76.5 sacks (third-most in Eagles history), and 22 forced fumbles.
For an EDGE rusher to play for 15 years is beyond impressive, but to do so in the way that Graham did, where production would rarely falter, and his role rarely questioned, is truly special. He continued to come back and overcome Father Time despite all signs pointing to retirement. That one final rodeo in 2024 led Graham to another Super Bowl trophy, immortalizing his career and his stature within the fanbase if it wasn’t already.
He became the first ever Eagles player to appear in over 200 career games for the franchise, withstanding numerous coaching changes, schematic shifts, and the many rises and falls the team endured over the years.
It’s very rare to see a player as decorated as Brandon Graham stay in one City for his entire career, but to do so through early adversity, go on to win two Super Bowl trophies (and play a huge role in arguably the most iconic defensive play in team history), and become a pillar of the team both on and off the field, takes another type of person altogether. BG’s positivity, compassion, relentless chirping on the field, and passion for the game and the players around him very much became the backbone for how the Eagles built their teams.
We wish Brandon Graham the very best in his retirement and hope he can enjoy every ounce of the life he’s earned. Who knows, we might get to see him around the NovaCare Complex & Lincoln Financial Field again soon.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
